STD Testing Blog

Archive for July, 2010

Tips on Partner Notification

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

BY GERALD PALMER

We’ve recently had an influx of questions from people who are seeking advice on notifying their partner that they’ve had a positive test result.  So, with guidance from our medical staff and other experts, we’ve put together a partner notification tip sheet based on the most frequently asked questions.

Why should I tell my sexual partners about my positive result?
If you have an STD, there is a good chance that your recent sexual partners are infected too.  It will be important for them to get tested so that they can know their status, get treated and prevent further transmission. Talking honestly with current or potential sexual partners about a positive STD result can be tough, but telling your partner shows them that you respect and care about their health.

Although they may initially be disappointed, shocked or even angry, disclosing a positive STD diagnosis will help protect you from being re-infected and protect your partner from the consequences of an untreated infection such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that may lead to infertility. Being honest and upfront with your partner gives them the opportunity to make the appropriate choices to protect their sexual health.

How do I tell my partner I have an STD?

Educate yourself: Learn as much as you can regarding your positive result from trusted sources like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or give us a call.  Our health care providers are here to help.  You will feel a lot more in control of the situation as you learn about your diagnosis.  You’ll be able to answer your partners initial questions and will have resources to share in case he/she has questions you can’t answer.

Timing is everything: You definitely want to have this conversation face to face – no texts, e-mails or voice mails. You also want to avoid sharing this information when you and your partner are in a sexual situation.   Find a time and place where you can give each other your undivided attention and you have enough time to fully explain and discuss the situation. If you are concerned that your partner may react negatively, choose a safe, public location to share the news.

Start the conversation: “I’ve tested positive for [STD]. You should get tested to see if you need treatment too”.

Give your partner all of the information you’ve learned. Let them know which infection they may have been exposed to, encourage him/her to complete an STD test even if there are no symptoms present, and note the importance of getting tested as soon as possible. The longer they wait, the greater the chance for complications to arise. Sharing your testing experience or offering to go with your partner may ease some of his/her anxiety about the situation.

Prefer to notify your partner anonymously?

You may be able to get help from a local physician, hospital or county health department. Many healthcare providers are willing to confidentially contact former partners on your behalf. Talk to your health care provider about this option or find your local health department.

There are also notification options using eCards. You’ll need to supply the name of the STD your partner may have been exposed to. The card will inform your partner of the situation and provided information about the condition and local testing and treatment options.

Need more advice?
For more resources about talking to your partner, call the CDC National STD Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (800) 227-8922 or (800) 232-4636.

If you have any questions, contact one of our counselors at (888) 215-9543.  We talk to people who have these kinds of questions and more every day.  As always, we’re here to help.

Posted in Parnter notification | 5 Comments »

Top 10 Myths about Herpes

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

BY MICHELLE SOBEL

Greek mythology is full of sex.  Zeus was notorious for his love affairs, conquests, infidelities and nymph seductions.  Likewise, myths about herpes have been long-lived, undoubtedly spawned during ancient times.  We’re here to present the facts about herpes and unwind the myths.

Here are the facts.

Here are the myths:

Myth #1 Once you have herpes, you’ll have itchy rashes forever.
Not true. You may have an outbreak of itchy sores, but it does go away. Some people get occasional outbreaks. And some people live with herpes without any signs, itching or symptoms at all.

Myth #2 You can catch herpes from toilet seats.
It’s highly unlikely. The microorganisms that cause genital herpes can’t survive outside the human body on a surface like a toilet seat for very long.

Myth #3 If your partner gets herpes, he or she must be cheating.
Don’t jump to conclusions on this one. Your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse may have been infected for years and not have known it due to mild or no symptoms.

Myth #4 People with herpes can’t give blood.
According to the American Red Cross, people with genital or oral herpes may donate blood as long as they’re feeling healthy and don’t have any other restricted infections.

Myth #5 People get herpes from sleeping with too many people.
While having unprotected sex with multiple partners raises your risk for contracting an STD, it only takes one unsafe exposure to contract genital herpes.  Having herpes is so common.  It doesn’t say anything about a person’s promiscuity.

Myth #6 You can’t have sex again if you have herpes.
Of course you can have sex again if you have herpes.  There are ways to manage outbreaks and ways to protect from transmitting the virus.  It’s not a life sentence of celibacy.

Myth #7 My doctor routinely screens me for herpes.
No she doesn’t.  There are no current guidelines for routine herpes testing.  If you want a herpes test, you need to ask for one.

Myth #8 You can’t get herpes from oral sex.
Herpes is spread from skin to skin contact.  Even if your partner isn’t having an outbreak, it’s possible to transmit the virus.  Unless you’re using a condom or dental dam during oral sex, you’re not practicing safer sex.

Myth #9 It’s shameful to have herpes.
This is the myth we’d most like to bust.  Herpes is incredibly common.  Let’s stop stigmatizing this common virus.

Myth #10 When you have herpes, you know it.
80% of people living with herpes don’t know they have it.  Symptoms may not appear or can be very subtle.  The only way to know if you have herpes is to get tested.  If you’d like to know if your status, get tested.  We can help.

Posted in Cultural Attitudes, STD Myths, herpes | 3 Comments »

Bite me: Teens, Vampires, and Infection

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

BY SU McFAY, R.N.

We come across a lot of interesting stories at the Unzipped news desk, but this one wins the week.  In a weird twist of life imitating art, teenagers are literally biting each other as a way to express affection.  Call it the “Twilight” zone.

Sucking blood is also described as a way to “mark” a loved one.  Some teens are cutting themselves and letting others taste their blood, as a means of being “connected eternally.”  You know, like vampires.

But, we’re not vampires.  We’re humans.  Our bites are notoriously infectious and frequently under-managed.  Approximately 10-15% of human bite wounds become infected.  And the possibility of transmission of disease through human bites is real.  Of the sexually transmitted infections, human bites have been shown to transmit hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis.   While there is evidence to suggest that it’s biologically possible to spread HIV through human bites, the risk is low.

Teens -  there’s just no safe way to experience this hot new blood-sucking trend.  You can play on Team Edward or Team Jacob, but when it comes to your health, play safe.

Posted in Cultural Attitudes, HIV, Risk, STD awareness | Add Your Comment »

Tales from the STD Hotline

Monday, July 12th, 2010

BY ADRIENNE DeLUNA

“So…my condom broke last weekend. I’d probably know if I had something by now, right?”
If only it were that easy.
“My partner said they tested negative for everything, so that means I should be good to go.”
Sorry. Not true.
“If he wasn’t experiencing any symptoms, I can’t get anything passed to me.”
Nope, that’s not right.
“I don’t have any of the symptoms I’ve researched online, so I should be clean, right?”
Sorry, again.

Welcome to the most common questions our counselors hear every day.  If you’re wondering the same things, you’re not alone.  The thing about STDs – and why they’re so common – is that people don’t think they need to get tested.  Your date looks “clean” and you know you don’t show any symptoms of an STD, so there’s no harm with a little unprotected sex, right?  No.  You have no idea if you or your date has an STD unless you’ve been tested.

We get asked these questions so often, we felt the need to pass this bit of information to you.

  • There are 19 million new cases of STDs in the U.S. each year.
  • The two most common STDs (Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) show no symptoms for 50-75% of the people who are infected. This means you may be infected, and in turn, unknowingly pass the STD to your partner.
  • And Herpes? It’s estimated that only about 20% of those who have herpes are even aware they have it.

It also only takes one time of having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex to get an STD. One time! It doesn’t matter if it was for a minute, or for an hour. (and no, oral is not safe –we’ll dive into that one another time.)

We know this isn’t an easy thing to do, so we make getting tested easy. There’s no undressing, swabbing, or answering any embarrassing questions. Get your results (and peace of mind) in 2-3 business days, and enjoy your sex life without the anxiety.

Still confused or have more questions? Give us a call, that’s what we’re here for. 888-215-9543.

Posted in Cultural Attitudes, Risk, STD Myths, STD awareness, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

STDs and Viagra: On the Rise

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Before you toss your little blue pills, the researchers at Harvard did not discover that Viagra and other ED drugs cause sexually transmitted diseases.  They don’t.  They do what they are designed to do — help men achieve erections strong enough for sexual intercourse.  What the researchers did discover, however, was that men who take Viagra, Cialis and the others tend to engage in riskier sexual behavior.  In fact, according to the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, men who were prescribed ED drugs are 2 to 3 times more likely to contract an STD, particularly HIV or chlamydia, than men who aren’t popping Viagra.

Earlier research has found that men aged 50 and older are less likely to use a condom and less likely to be tested for HIV compared with people in their 20s.  It’s not hard to understand why this trend is happening.  “We are typically unaccustomed to practice safe sex over the age of 50, because the risk of pregnancy is eliminated,” study lead author Dr. Anupam B. Jena of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Viagra.  Meet Trojan.  Trojan?  Meet Viagra.  Guys — we’re happy you’re enjoying great sex, but please stay safe.  And if you haven’t gotten your routine STD or HIV test, we’re here to help.

Posted in Erectile Dysfunction, HIV, Risk, safe sex | 9 Comments »